Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno Welcomed Into APC With Assurances From President Tinubu. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has warmly welcomed Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, into the All Progressives Congress (APC), assuring him that his decision to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will bring substantial benefits to both him and the people of Akwa Ibom. The grand reception, held on Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, marked a historic moment for the state’s political landscape. Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu described Governor Eno’s move as a bold and progressive…

Opposition Coalition Group’s All Democratic Alliance Seeks INEC Registration Ahead Of 2027 Nigerian Elections. In a significant development for Nigeria’s political landscape, the National Opposition Coalition Group (NOCG), led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has formally applied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the registration of a new political party, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA). The application, submitted on 19 June 2025 and acknowledged by INEC the following day, marks a bold step by opposition leaders to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections. The…

5.1-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Northern Iran Amid Ongoing Conflict With Israel. Tehran, Iran – A 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck northern Iran on Friday, 20 June 2025, rattling the region near Semnan as the country grapples with escalating tensions due to its ongoing conflict with Israel. The tremor, which occurred at 9:19 PM local time, was felt across parts of northern Iran, including the capital, Tehran, approximately 150 kilometres away, but caused no reported casualties or significant damage, offering a moment of relief amidst a turbulent period. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake’s epicentre was located 37 kilometres…

Suicide Bomber Attacks Borno Market, Killing 10 And Injuring Several. A devastating suicide bombing struck a bustling fish market in Borno State, Nigeria, on Saturday, 21 June 2025, claiming the lives of at least 10 people and leaving several others injured, according to reports from local authorities and eyewitnesses. The attack, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, has been attributed to suspected Boko Haram insurgents, though no group has officially claimed responsibility at the time of reporting. The explosion took place at a crowded market in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, a region that has been…

Lagos Police Arrest Notorious Assassin ‘Olori Eso’ In Major Breakthrough Against Violent Crime. In a significant victory for law enforcement, the Lagos State Police Command announced the arrest of Wasiu Akinwande, alias Olori Eso, a 44-year-old notorious hired killer and cultist kingpin, on Friday, 20 June 2025. The operation, codenamed “Silence, Speed, and Surprise,” marks a pivotal moment in the fight against violent crime in Lagos, particularly in the Mushin area, where Akinwande and his gang have terrorised residents for over a decade. The Tactical Squad operatives of the Lagos State Police Command tracked Akinwande to his hideout in…

Putin Dismisses NATO Rearmament As Threat, Signals Openness To Ukraine Talks. St Petersburg, Russia – Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared that NATO’s plans to increase defence spending and bolster its military capabilities across Europe pose no threat to Russia’s security. Speaking at a press conference with international journalists during the St Petersburg International Economic Forum on 19 June 2025, Putin expressed confidence in Russia’s self-sufficient defence capabilities, while also indicating a willingness to engage in peace negotiations with Ukraine under specific conditions. Addressing NATO’s push to raise member states’ defence budgets to 5% of GDP, a proposal championed…

Adekunle Gold Launches Free Health Insurance For 1,000 Sickle Cell Warriors In Nigeria. Nigerian Afrobeats star Adekunle Gold has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative to support individuals living with sickle cell disease, marking a significant milestone in his advocacy for the condition. On World Sickle Cell Day, 19 June 2025, the award-winning singer, through his Adekunle Gold Foundation, launched the ‘5 Star Care’ programme, which will provide free, comprehensive health insurance to 1,000 sickle cell patients in Lagos State. The initiative, announced via a heartfelt Instagram post, is a deeply personal endeavour for the 37-year-old artist, born Adekunle Kosoko, who…

Abia State To Bolster Education With Recruitment Of 4,000 Additional Teachers. In a boost to the education sector, Governor Alex Otti has announced plans to recruit 4,000 additional teachers for primary and secondary schools across Abia State. This ambitious initiative, revealed during the June edition of his monthly media chat, “Gov. Alex Otti Speaks to Abians,” on Thursday, 19 June 2025, aims to increase the total number of new teachers in the state to 9,394. The recruitment drive follows the successful onboarding of 5,394 teachers, who are currently undergoing orientation in Aba and Umuahia. Governor Otti stated that the…

EU Considers Suspending Visa-Free Travel For Israeli Citizens Amid Human Rights Concerns. In a significant development, the European Union is contemplating the suspension of visa-free travel for Israeli citizens to the Schengen Area, citing concerns over alleged human rights violations. The move, reported by Euronews on 18 June 2025, follows the adoption of new EU regulations that expand the grounds for suspending visa-free schemes to include breaches of human rights, international humanitarian law, and the UN Charter. The reform, agreed upon by the European Parliament and the Council, grants the European Commission the power to temporarily suspend visa-free travel…

Dangote Refinery Raises Petrol Ex-Depot Price To ₦880 per Litre Amid Economic Pressures. The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Africa’s largest oil refining facility, has increased its ex-depot price for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to ₦880 per litre, effective Friday, 20 June 2025. The new price, up from ₦825 per litre, is set to impact fuel costs across Nigeria, with industry sources attributing the hike to global crude oil price volatility and domestic supply challenges. The price adjustment was confirmed through a Proforma Invoice issued to marketers, as reported by PetroleumPrice.ng and The Punch. The refinery’s reliance…

Anambra School Triumphs Over UK Schools To Win Inaugural UK-Nigeria Debate Competition. In a remarkable display of intellectual prowess, students from St. John Vianney Science College in Ukwulu, Anambra State, Nigeria, have emerged victorious in the inaugural UK-Nigeria Debate Competition, defeating top schools from both Nigeria and the United Kingdom. The virtual event, held on 19 June 2025, showcased the exceptional debating skills of young minds from across the two nations, with the Anambra school clinching the title of grand champion. The competition featured a fiercely contested lineup, with four Nigerian schools—St. John Vianney Science College, Britarch Schools (Abuja),…

South Africa Considers Closing Israeli Embassy In Pretoria Amid Gaza Conflict. Pretoria, South Africa — South Africa is actively considering the closure of the Israeli Embassy in Pretoria, a move that could further strain diplomatic relations between the two nations. The decision, currently under review by the South African Cabinet, follows a 2023 parliamentary resolution to shut the embassy in response to Israel’s military actions in Gaza, as confirmed by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola on 17 June 2025. Speaking in Parliament, Lamola noted that the embassy remains downgraded, a step taken in 2023 to express…